After returning from Regional Fire with James, Zaboru was promptly driven to the biggest comic book store in Los Angeles: a place called Fun Comics. The store, with its bright yellow-and-white color palette, immediately caught Zaboru's eye. It didn't exist in his previous world, but here, it seemed like a landmark.
'This place didn't exist in my previous life either, just like Regional Fire,' Zaboru mused, studying the storefront with curiosity. 'It's like this world took a detour and filled in the blanks with its own odd creations.'
As they parked and stepped out of the car, Zaboru eyed the storefront and said, "Fun Comics, huh? Simple name for such a loud visual."
James shrugged. "Yeah, that's how they've always been. But honestly? Comic books aren't really that popular anymore."
Zaboru paused. "What do you mean?"
James gave a casual wave. "Well, most people stick to Batman and Superman. DC still puts out solid stories, but even they've gone kind of stagnant. Marvel? They're barely keeping up. Spider-Man's doing okay, but the rest? Yikes. It's like they're not even trying anymore."
Zaboru frowned, thinking, That's different from the world I came from… I always thought American comics were still going strong here, especially since what I saw in Japan store made it seem that way.
"Were you a comic book fan or something, James?" Zaboru asked, glancing sideways.
James nodded with a wistful smile. "Yeah, I used to be. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Marvel. Don't get me wrong, I liked DC too — Batman especially — but Marvel had this... rawness, this charm. It felt like they were telling stories about people, not just heroes. That really spoke to me."
He paused, then shrugged. "But when Marvel started slipping? Losing their edge? I kinda just stopped caring. It was like watching a favorite band slowly fall apart — painful, so you just tune out."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Interesting. Let's talk later. For now, let's check the shelves."
Zaboru and James stepped inside the store, immediately greeted by walls adorned with vivid comic book posters and displays stacked with colorful issues. The atmosphere screamed classic comic book culture — from the shelves packed with long-running series to the subtle smell of ink and paper that filled the air. It was nostalgic, almost charming.
Zaboru looked around and thought, 'This atmosphere isn't bad at all. It's got character... but the lack of crowds bothers me'.
Inside Fun Comics was quiet compared to Regional Fire. No crowds. Just aisles of colorful covers and a few scattered shoppers.
Zaboru wasn't exactly a die-hard comic fan — he was more of a manga reader, having been born and raised in Japan. Still, he had always admired American superheroes, especially through their films and animated series. He loved them deeply, and even in his previous life, he had learned English by watching animated shows and superhero movies. That connection had never faded. With slight Excitement He headed straight for the comic section and started browsing.
He picked up a wide variety: a few Marvel titles here, some DC there. He even grabbed a handful from smaller publishers. But it didn't take long for him to notice the imbalance. Marvel's presence was weak. Outside of Spider-Man, Captain America, The Punisher, and Iron Man, there was barely anything on the shelves. Meanwhile, DC's section was overflowing with titles and characters.
James wasn't exaggerating, Zaboru thought. Marvel really is struggling. But in my previous life, didn't Marvel shine during the '80s? It's really weird — like this world missed its golden age or it never happened the same way.
After a solid haul, he made his way to the register. The cashier barely glanced at the stack, scanning each item with robotic disinterest. No recognition. No fuss. Just another customer. It was a stark contrast from the frenzy at Regional Fire.
Once the transaction was complete, Zaboru and James returned to the car — which was now packed with stacks of albums, DVDs, and comics. Zaboru leaned back and asked, "Say, James… is Marvel's main office anywhere near here?"
James blinked. "Hmm… not too far. Maybe a two or three-hour drive from Emerald Wings' offices it still in LA and I actually know the owner — we've doing some business before. Why?"
Zaboru smiled, his mind already spinning. Perfect.
"I want to visit. Maybe… buy it."
James nearly choked. "Buy Marvel!? They're on the verge of collapse! What would you even do with them? That sounds like a massive waste of money!" James genuinely believed that buying Marvel was a colossal waste of money — a sentimental gamble with no payoff. But then, he glanced at Zaboru's expression. That grin. That intensity. It wasn't just talk. James felt a chill crawl down his spine
Zaboru slowly turned toward him, his grin growing. There was a strange light in his eyes. "What would I do with Marvel, you ask?" He grinned wider — manic, unstoppable. "Plenty."
James looked at Zaboru's face in disbelief and thought, "W-what a terrifying grin... Is Zaboru even normal? Well, a normal guy can't revive a dead industry as a teenager, of course!"
James kept driving, his grip tightening on the wheel as he thought, That must be the switch Nando Michio was talking about. When Zaboru's switch flips… he becomes terrifying.
He remembered negotiating with Nanco's CEO, Nando Michio, during the talks for the Emerald Wings arcades. The man had raved about Zaboru like a zealot, insisting that the kid had something unnatural — a 'switch' that, once triggered, could change the course of any business, any industry. Nando had warned him: when Zaboru gets that look in his eye, something insane is either already happening or about to, Back then, James didn't believe it — but now, seeing it with his own eyes, he absolutely did.
Sweating nervously, James gave a stiff nod. "O-okay. I'll contact the owner. Let's try to set up a meeting tomorrow."
"Thanks," Zaboru said with a satisfied nod.
What Zaboru didn't realize was that the grin he made closely mimicked Akechi Hamazou's — the same sharp, unnerving smile he had seen countless times before. Zaboru had always admired how cool and terrifying that grin looked. Over time, his brain had unconsciously adapted to replicate it, aided by his "Deep Memory Dive" ability, which allowed him to recall any memory in vivid detail, and "Enlightenment," which enhanced his bodily control and fuctions. Without even realizing, he had learned to mimic it perfectly.
Later that day, they returned to Emerald Wings. Seeing how much stuff Zaboru had bought, James offered to have everything shipped to Japan via EW's cargo airlines. Zaboru gratefully agreed — there was no way he'd drag all of that onto a regular flight.
With his entertainment haul secured and a bold new idea in mind, Zaboru decided to stay at Emerald Wings for the evening. He already knew which American company he was going to buy first.
To be continued...
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